Western Africa: Market for Refractory Bricks, Blocks and Tiles 2025

Market Size for Refractory Bricks, Blocks and Tiles in Western Africa

In 2021, the West African market for refractory bricks, blocks and tiles decreased by -9.5% to $X for the first time since 2016, thus ending a four-year rising trend. In general, consumption recorded a perceptible setback. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Production of Refractory Bricks, Blocks and Tiles in Western Africa

In value terms, refractory bricks, blocks and tiles production stood at $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total production indicated prominent growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.6% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, production decreased by -17.1% against 2018 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when the production volume increased by 79%. Over the period under review, production reached the maximum level at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports of Refractory Bricks, Blocks and Tiles

Exports in Western Africa

After two years of growth, overseas shipments of refractory bricks, blocks and tiles decreased by -28% to X tons in 2021. In general, exports, however, posted prominent growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 175% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2020, and then contracted markedly in the following year.

In value terms, refractory bricks, blocks and tiles exports declined to $X in 2021. Overall, exports showed a abrupt slump. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when exports increased by 92% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Nigeria represented the major exporting country with an export of about X tons, which resulted at 71% of total exports. Niger (X tons) took an 11% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Cote d'Ivoire (10%) and Togo (5%).

Exports from Nigeria increased at an average annual rate of +6.9% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Togo (+8.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Togo emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Western Africa, with a CAGR of +8.0% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Cote d'Ivoire (-3.8%) and Niger (-12.5%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Niger (+11 p.p.) and Nigeria (+11 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Cote d'Ivoire saw its share reduced by -12.2% from 2012 to 2021, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest refractory bricks, blocks and tiles supplying countries in Western Africa were Cote d'Ivoire ($X), Nigeria ($X) and Togo ($X), with a combined 88% share of total exports.

In terms of the main exporting countries, Togo, with a CAGR of +4.9%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in Western Africa amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 22% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, recorded a abrupt contraction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when the export price increased by 68%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2015 to 2021, the export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Cote d'Ivoire ($X per ton), while Nigeria ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Togo (-2.9%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Imports of Refractory Bricks, Blocks and Tiles

Imports in Western Africa

After four years of growth, purchases abroad of refractory bricks, blocks and tiles decreased by -15.2% to X tons in 2021. Over the period under review, imports saw a abrupt slump. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 when imports increased by 140% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, refractory bricks, blocks and tiles imports declined to $X in 2021. In general, imports continue to indicate a noticeable decline. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 36%. The level of import peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

Nigeria prevails in imports structure, resulting at X tons, which was approx. 65% of total imports in 2021. It was distantly followed by Ghana (X tons), Senegal (X tons) and Cote d'Ivoire (X tons), together committing a 21% share of total imports. The following importers - Togo (X tons), Guinea (X tons) and Mali (X tons) - together made up 8.3% of total imports.

Imports into Nigeria increased at an average annual rate of +4.1% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Mali (+25.0%), Cote d'Ivoire (+10.1%), Senegal (+8.9%) and Guinea (+3.8%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Mali emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Western Africa, with a CAGR of +25.0% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Togo (-3.4%) and Ghana (-27.0%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Nigeria (+41 p.p.), Senegal (+5.7 p.p.), Cote d'Ivoire (+4.8 p.p.), Guinea (+1.5 p.p.) and Mali (+1.5 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Ghana saw its share reduced by -60.1% from 2012 to 2021, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Nigeria ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported refractory bricks, blocks and tiles in Western Africa, comprising 60% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Senegal ($X), with an 11% share of total imports. It was followed by Ghana, with a 7.5% share.

In Nigeria, refractory bricks, blocks and tiles imports remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Senegal (+8.2% per year) and Ghana (-20.4% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Western Africa stood at $X per ton in 2021, growing by 4.9% against the previous year. Import price indicated pronounced growth from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +4.1% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, refractory bricks, blocks and tiles import price decreased by -10.8% against 2019 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when the import price increased by 81% against the previous year. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2015 to 2021, the import prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Togo ($X per ton), while Cote d'Ivoire ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Guinea (+12.5%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :